Poetry Series present Todd Cirillo and Iven Lourie

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At 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, the Nevada County Poetry Series present Todd Cirillo and Iven Lourie.

“Cirillo and Lourie are two of Nevada County’s own. One with a heart long ago abandoned to the after-hours, the other standing securely in the moment – both given willingly to lives lived with passion,” said Bill Gainer of the Nevada County Poetry Series. “They will leave you smiling, believing in a world where everything goes almost right, almost all the time and — it’s OK.”

Todd Cirillo was born on a beach in the summertime. To this day, he retreats there — whenever heartbreak or hangover hit him. He is a co-founder, editor and publisher of the notorious Six Ft. Swells Press and one of the originators of the After-Hours Poetry movement. Cirillo is the author of five chapbooks of poetry and is a co-author of the infamous book, “Roxy.” He has been a featured reader all over the United States and an alleyway in Paris. Cirllo’s new book, “Sucker’s Paradise,” is scheduled for an October release. You can find him on YouTube.com, at afterhourspoetry.com, or somewhere — on the road.

Iven Lourie worked as poetry editor at Chicago Review in the 1960s and has pursued editing, writing and performance art since. He participated in the anti-war demonstrations and readings in the 1960s and ’70s. After completing his master of fine arts at the University of Arizona in 1978, where he studied with poets Richard Shelton, Peter Wild and Steve Orlen, he moved to Northern California where he edits for Gateways and Artemis Books; teaches composition and literature at Sierra College; and leads the Café Writers critique group. He plays guitar and the fiddle for fun — his audiences agree that his music shows more sincerity and heart than skill or talent.

The reading and open mic will be recorded for presentation on NCTV, Channel 11.

Tickets are available at the door for $5 general, seniors and students and $1 for those under 18. Refreshments and open mic included. The show will be in the Granucci Room (use the main entrance) at the Center for the Arts, 314 W. Main St., Grass Valley.